Throw Down at Durham Bars with Games and Activities

Durham has bars built for doing, not just drinking. Durham's bars run the full range of games and activities for a night out. If you’re feeling more like competing than conversing, there are many options for you to show your skill at popular bar games. Pinball and a pint at Fullsteam ATC, bocce and brews at Surf Club, billiards and a cold bottle of beer at the Green Room. Bring a group or come alone, you're in for a good night at Durham’s bars, arcades, pool halls and more.

Where to Play Pool and Darts in Durham

Where there is a billiards table, there is most likely a dart board. If you're a pool professional, you're probably a regular at these bars. If you have never played before, you're welcome to grab a drink and figure it out. You may not leave the winner, but you'll leave with a good story. 

The Green Room

1108 Broad St.

The Green Room is an iconic Durham pool hall. It's a neighborhood gathering spot with a loyal following that gained notoriety when it was featured in the movie Bull Durham. Now operating for more than thirty years, The Green Room remains an unassuming spot for pool sharks and casual players to gather with a beer. The ten antique pool tables offer plenty of space for those who want to play a round, and the no-frills atmosphere makes it comfortable enough to stay a while. You may be intimidated to walk through those doors on your first time, but you'll feel like a regular the next time you come back. Bring your girls to start off a great, and very Durham, ladies night. Or bring your parents here if they saw Bull Durham in the theaters in 1988. There are no draft beers, but their bottle selection is great. Get a local hazy IPA or indulge in a crisp Miller High Life.

West End Billiards

601 W. Main St., Suite A

West End Billiards is a bar and event space with pool, darts, shuffleboard and a modern, industrial vibe. There are plenty of tables and TVs which make it easy to play a game and watch a game at the same time. Stop by after work for a causal evening of pool and a pint of beer, or join in their Billiards Challenge on the 3rd Saturday of every month if you have perfected your game. They don't serve food, but you can stop at near by restaurants like Cucciolo Osteria for Italian, Bull McCabes for an Indian take on pub grub or Spring Rolls for sushi.

DJ’s Dive

3219 Old Chapel Hill Rd.

The name says. DJ's is a neighborhood dive near the 15-501 corridor. Stop in for no-frills fun and friendly conversation with Durhamites from the surrounding community. Affordable drinks, pin ball, darts and the best part, the pool tables are free. Have a few drinks with a few games of pool for a casual night with a competitive spirit. 

The Tavern

1900 W. Markham Ave.

The Tavern is a neighborhood bar in the Ninth Street district. Order a basket of cheese fries and BBQ nachos to share while you compete at arcade games, two pool tables and dart boards on the second floor mezzanine. Sometimes all you need is a bar with cold beer, a few games and enough TVs to watch whatever game you're into. If you hang out later into the evening, expect more of a crowd with live music, karaoke and regular events. 

Board Game Bars in Durham

Whether it's your first time playing Ticket to Ride, you're into a crunchy game (a quick game of Gloomhaven, anyone?), you've spent hours painting your custom models or your looking to throw down your Black Lotus card in Magic: The Gathering, check out these two Durham board game bars to find the place that's right for you. 

Moon Dog Meadery

1104 Broad St., Suite C

Moon Dog is one of Durham’s top meeting spots for board game enthusiasts. Board games are available for unlimited nightly rentals for $5, but free to play every Monday and Thursday. With over 300 games to choose from, it's a great night whether everyone has a BGG account, or if you're the kind of person who hasn't played Catan yet. That's okay. You're still welcome here. 

Moon Dog is also a meadery that produces more than five varieties of the fermented honey drink, all served on tap and in bottles and tasting flights at the bar. Beer drinkers can also enjoy the selection of more than 200 North Carolina craft beers, wines, or hard ciders.

Atomic Empire

3400 Westgate Dr. #14b

Atomic Empire is an emporium of games. You'll most definitely find a board or card game you want to play. But unlike other board games stores, Atomic Empire's niche is tabletop RPGs and trading card games. Games, cards, miniatures, paints, dice, you name it, they have it. Join a Warhammer battle or Pokemon League while enjoying a one of their beers on tap. Check out their Instagram page to see what weekly games they have lined up.

Arcade Bars in Durham

DDR, air hockey, pinball, Time Crisis II. The electric dings, flashing lights and that metallic scent of tokens in your palm. We're feeling the nostalgia for a good old fashioned arcade game. But now, you can enjoy a drink while you play. Being a grown-up is awesome. 

Boxcar Bar + Arcade 

621 Foster St.
Boxcar is a gamer’s paradise where vintage pinball and arcade games share space with interactive racing games, Dance Dance Revolution, air hockey and more. The sprawling bar, outdoor space and on-site pizza kitchen keep the non-gamers entertained while kids and adults play to their heart’s content. Minors are welcome with a parent before 7 p.m. daily, and dogs are welcome.

Clouds Brewcade + Kitchen

905 W. Main St. #22

Tucked in Brightleaf Sqaure, Clouds Brewcade has the arcade games, beer and food for a great evening or weekend afternoon. Play racing games, foosball, a round of pool or get the high-score on Skee-Ball. Stop. by on a Tuesdays for $5 drafts. Clouds Flagship German-American Lager and German Pilsner go down great with their signature giant pretzel. Served with spicy mustard and the two greatest word's in the English dictionary: beer cheese. 

Hi-Wire Brewing

800 Taylor St. #9-150

If you're a pinball wizard, check out Hi-Wire Brewing. While not a typical bar-cade like Boxcar, Hi-Wire has six pinball machines that will keep you launching balls while you sip a one of their 20 beers on tap. In addition to pinball, you can play ping pong on one of their two tables, or toss some bags in a rousing game of corn hole. Hi-Wire has free parking and a great outdoor space for kids. After 8 p.m., it's 21+.

With 20 beer options ranging from sours to hazy IPAs, you're sure to find one you like. But if beer isn't your jam, Hi-Wire has a wide selection of cocktails, liquor slushies, wine, cider, THC beverages and non-alcoholic picks. If you're visiting between March-July, order the Pink Lemonade. If you're here during the winter season, Hi-Wire hosts an indoor disc golf putting league. You heard us right. Order a pizza from Cugino Forno next door, get a pint and sink a disc.

Bars with Activities for Groups in Durham

If you're planning a bachelor party, family reunion or team-building activity at work, check out these spots. Test your aim with axe (of knife) throwing. Get the adrenaline pumping while go-kart racing for a podium finish. Or step outside and play bocce ball while the sun sets. You're in for a fun time, and a good drink, at these Durham spots.

Bocce Ball in Durham: Kotuku Surf Club

703 Rigsbee Ave.

On the corner of Rigsbee Avenue and Geer Street, Kotuku Surf Club (called just Surf Club by locals), is Durham's neighborhood dive bar. While it's a prime spot for a beer, people-watching and meeting up with friends, don't sleep on the bocce ball courts out back. There are four courts that are free to play. If you time it just right, you'll get the perfect view of an incredible Durham sunset. The sprawling outdoor area also hosts food trucks, DJs and daytime vintage markets. Inside, you'll find a pool table, a dart board and a shuffleboard table as well. Make a full evening of it. Play one round of all four games and see who is the ultimate bar game champion is. 

Axe Throwing in Durham: Urban Axes

619 Foster St.

At Urban Axes in Durham's Central Park district, bring your group together for an evening of beers and bullseyes. In 2016, Urban Axes popularized axe throwing as a social activity as well as a competitive sport. The Durham location opened in 2018, and team-building activities have never been the same. 

Similar to darts, axe throwing (or knife throwing!) is an individual sport played with and against other members of a group. Book a throwing session for a group social, family gathering, or company team building excursion, or stop by during daily walk-in hours on a date night. Safety is a top priority at Urban Axes. Every axe throwing stall gets their own coach and their tips and guidance will lead to some decent throws by the end of your session. 

The bar overlooks the Historic Durham Athletic Park. Enjoy a beer, wine or cider at the bar (no hard liquor on account of the axes being thrown) while you throw, or just take in the views. Kids 12 and up who are accompanied by an adult are welcome to join except on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m. Make sure you have closed-toe shoes!

Bars with Trivia in Durham

Trivia is the ultimate, highly competitive, group bar game. Trivia is like Marmite, you either loathe the idea of a trivia night, or you simply can't get enough. Wherever you find yourself in Durham, you can find a trivia night at a bar near you. If you're a trivia fiend (or just looking to try it out), get your team together, pick your team name (may we suggest Quiz-team Aguilera) and head to one of these Durham bars where weekly trivia is on the menu. 

Pub Trivia on Monday in Durham

Ponysaurus Brewing Co.- Trivia every Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Pub Trivia on Tuesday in Durham

Glass Jug, Downtown - Trivia every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

DSSOLVR - Trivia every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Gizmo Brew Works - Trivia every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Pub Trivia on Wednesday in Durham

Der Nachbar - Trivia every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Durham Food Hall - Trivia every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Hi-Wire Brewing - Trivia every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Glass Jug, RTP - Trivia every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

West 94th Street Pub - Trivia every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Bull McCabe's Irish Pub - Trivia every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Pub Trivia on Thursday in Durham

Bull City Ciderworks - Music Trivia every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Crank Arm - Trivia every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Beer Tooth Taproom - Trivia every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Durham Beer Garden - Trivia every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Velvet Hippo - Drag Music Trivia Bingo every Thursday at 8 p.m.

Pub Trivia on Sunday in Durham

Durham Beer Garden - Trivia every Sunday at 4 p.m.

Get your group together and plan a night out or send this blog to you boss to plan an actually fun team-building evening. If you're testing your brawn with axe throwing or your brain with a trivia night, get into the competitive spirit at these Durham bars.